UCB epilepsy drug brivaracetam shines again in Phase III

UCB has posted positive topline results from its latest Phase III study with its epilepsy drug brivaracetam, which will provide the basis for filings on both sides of the Atlantic early next year.

This study was designed to evaluate brivaracetam compared to placebo, as adjunctive treatment in adults not fully controlled despite treatment with one or two concomitant antiepileptic drugs. The results showed that brivaracetam reduced partial-onset seizure frequency and improved responder rates.

UCB chief medical officer Iris Loew Friedrich said the results were consistent with previous brivaracetam trials, noting that the trial was the largest Phase III study conducted in epilepsy patients with partial-onset seizures. Overall, “the brivaracetam development programme has involved over 3,000 people and offers over eight years of clinical experience with some patients”, she added, noting that “we look forward to discussing the data with the regulatory authorities and the scientific community”.

Jean-Christophe Tellier, the company’s chief executive-elect, stated that “as the newest product to emerge from our late-stage pipeline, brivaracetam is leading the way for UCB’s new era of patient-centric solutions.